About Jim

Assemblyman Jim Wood was elected to represent the 2nd Assembly District in November 2014—a district that includes all of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity Counties, as well as northern and coastal Sonoma County.

In his first year in the Assembly, Jim passed nine bills into law—all focused on issues of importance to the people of the 2nd Assembly District. In 2015, Jim was appointed Chair of the Select Committee on the Digital Divide in Rural California, Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Assembly Committees on Natural Resources, Business and Professions, Health, Rules, and Appropriations.

Prior to the Assembly, Jim served on the Healdsburg Planning Commission for four years before winning a seat on Healdsburg’s City Council where he served for eight years, two terms as Mayor. Jim is a native Californian and has lived in Sonoma County since 1987. A dentist by training, Jim opened and operated a successful family dental practice in Cloverdale for over 25 years. He is a nationally recognized expert in forensic dentistry and is the designated forensic dentist for Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Marin Counties. A member of a national emergency response team, he was called to the World Trade Center after 9/11, to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and recently served as part of the emergency response team helping to identify victims of the fires in Lake County. Jim’s experience with state and local government and passion for making positive change for the people he serves, make him a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate for residents of the 2nd Assembly District.

Making our government more efficient

In his first year in the Assembly, Jim authored the “Small Town Grant Act” (AB 325) helping small cities and counties cut through the red tape in Sacramento and streamline access to millions of dollars set aside for affordable housing, economic development, and job retention. On the Healdsburg City Council, Jim led key initiatives to make government more effective. By reorganizing city departments for greater efficiency, and working with city employees to find solutions, Jim helped Healdsburg enjoy balanced budgets and healthy reserves throughout his time on the Council. In Healdsburg Jim also spearheaded a “one-stop-shop” building permit process, streamlining and simplifying the City’s requirements for new construction.

A champion for our environment

Deeply committed to environmental causes, Jim has led initiatives both at the state and city levels to protect our precious natural resources. Appalled by the devastation wreaked by illegal cannabis grows on our forests and watersheds, Jim authored the “Marijuana Watershed Protection Act” (AB 243) which serves as the cornerstone for last year’s historic cannabis regulations. This important legislation sets cultivation guidelines and funds environmental enforcement for cannabis farmers statewide. Jim has also authored a bill that would provide additional funding for cleanup on rouge cannabis grows: Assembly Bill 1548 would create a permanent funding source to ensure we have the resources we need to keep our forests safe and healthy for future generations. For these efforts, Jim was recognized by the California League of Cities with the Distinguished Legislative Leadership Award.

During his time on Healdsburg’s City Council, Jim co-founded the Healdsburg Green City Committee to implement green building principles: restructuring the energy rebate program to encourage solar installations, increasing water conservation standards on new construction and building remodels, and expanding energy efficiency rebate programs. In his final year on the Council, he was the driving force for an innovative recycled water program to help farmers and businesses during our historic drought.

Working for a healthier California

As a healthcare provider, Jim has a passion for ensuring all Californians has access to high quality healthcare. In his first years in the Assembly, he authored eight bills to improve the efficiency, safety, and availability of California’s healthcare system. His work in healthcare stretches beyond his role as a legislator. In his spare time, Jim serves on the Board of Advisors for the Pediatric Dental Initiative, a dental surgery center for children with severe dental problems.